What does “Orthodoxy”
mean?

What does “Orthodoxy”
mean? Literally, “right belief” or “right praise.”

This is to say that the Orthodox Church has remained true to the faith
that was handed on to us by Christ. The term itself evolved in a historical
situation in which it was necessary to distinguish the true, apostolic
tradition of the Church from false teachings.

This tradition has lived on up to the present day, continually
transmitted and sustained through the holy sacraments. One becomes a member of
the Orthodox Church by Holy Baptism in the name of the Father, the Son and the
Holy Spirit. This is followed by Holy Chrismation, during which all the
person’s sense organs are sanctified by the seal of the Holy Spirit. Baptism
and Chrismation culminate in the Holy Eucharist, communion in the Body and
Blood of Christ. The passing-on of apostolic authority takes place in the
Church through the holy sacrament of Ordination. The shared life of husband and
wife is blessed through the holy sacrament of Marriage, in which, with the
crowning of the bride and groom, the two become one in Christ. For the healing
of the human person’s anxieties and spiritual wounds, the Church has
Confession, also called the sacrament of repentance. Sacramental life is
underpinned by regular prayer and by fasting – the abstention at certain times
from meat and dairy products; more generally, the avoidance of everything that
inhibits communion with God and others. At least once a year, before Easter,
the Church carries out the holy sacrament of Unction. The sacrament of Unction
is not, for Orthodox people, “last anointing.” Rather, it is for healing and
the forgiveness of a person’s sins. The sacrament of holy Unction may be also
carried out whenever a member of the Church is very ill; the result is complete
harmony with God, which neutralizes illness and poor health.

Anyone may enter an Orthodox house of worship to light a candle and to
pray for oneself, one’s loved ones and the departed. The priest can also be
asked to pray for someone, to say a special prayer service for the departed or
to perform a funeral.

The Divine Liturgy – participation in the Holy Eucharist – lies at the
heart of the Church’s life. The congregation gathers on Sundays at ten a.m. to
offer together a “sacrifice
of praise,” to take
part in the Body and Blood of Christ and through this to receive spiritual
nourishment. There are around 70 Orthodox people on Hiiumaa, half of whom
participate more actively in the Church’s life of prayer.

The church at Kuriste is consecrated in honor of the Nativity of the
Mother of God. This feast is the first in the church year, celebrated on September
8th. The Orthodox Church honors the Ever-Virgin Mary as the Birth-giver of God
and sees in her birth the beginning of the salvation of humanity. Furthermore,
the Mother of God has set an example for us in saying “yes” to that to which God called her. She
welcomed within herself and brought into the world the Son of God – Jesus
Christ, who triumphed over death, which had reigned over the world, and showed
us the way to resurrection. This is the joy and the expectation that we carry
within ourselves. At the same time, we humbly acknowledge that we are not
capable of completely understanding and putting into words everything that has
to do with God. That is why the Orthodox Church invites: “Come and see!”(John 1:46)
– that is, “Come and experience for yourself!”

Orthodox Church of Estonia on Hiiumaa:EAÕK Hiiumaa Jumalasünnitaja sündimise kogudus (Orthdox Congregation of the Nativity of the Mother of God at Hiiumaa)Bank: SWEDBANK, IBAN: EE232200221048456181 Dedicated bank account for the restoration of Church of the Nativity of
Christ at Puski: AS SEB Pank, IBAN: EE411010220109240010Contact:Orthodox priest on Hiiumaa Aabraham Tölpt I E-meil: aabraham@eoc.ee I GSM +372 50 90 251